the 


BATTLE  OF  GREAT  BETHEL 

(FOUGHT  JUNE  10,  1861.) 


BY 


FRANK.    I.    WILSON 


Invadeap'  vain  your  battles'  steel  and  tire ! 
Choose  ye  the  morrow's  doom— 
A  prison  or  a  grave. 

Halleck. 


RALEIGH,.  N.  C. : 

PRINTED  AT  THE  "STANDARD"  OFFICE. 

1864. 


i 


THE 


BATTLE  OF  GREAT  BETHEL, 

(FOUGHT  JUNE  10,  1861.) 


BY 


FRANK.      I.       WILSON 


Invaders!  rain  your  battles'  steel  and  fire! 
Choose  ye  the  morrow's  doom— 
A  prison  or  a  grave. 

Halleck. 


RALEIGH,  K  C: 

PRINTED  AT  THE  "STANDARD"  OFFICE. 

1864. 


: 


II 


Bn  tared,  according  to  Act  of  Congresi,  in  the  year  1864  , 

BY   FRANK.    I.   WILSON, 

In  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Confederate 

States  for  the  District  of  Pamlico  of  North-Carolina. 


RALEIGH,   W.   0.  : 
PRINTED   AT   THE    **  STANDARD  "    OFFICE. 


Y*  74-8-3 


PREFATORY. 

"The  feattle  of  Great  Bethel"  has  been  written  partly  to 
do  honor   to  the   gallant  men   engaged  in   it,  and   partly  to 
"rebuke  the  low  and  envious  feelings  of  some  who  hare  ever 
withheld,  so  far  as  they  could,  justice  to  North- Carolina  and 
her  sons.     If  I  have  used  strong  language*  it  has  been  because 
the  occasion  has  warranted  it.     If  I  have   spoken   plainly  it 
has  been  because  the  wrongs,  or  attempted  wrongs,  of  North- 
Carolina  have  been  plain.     It  has  not  been  ray  aim  to  vindi- 
cate the  character  of  my  State ;  for  it  needs  no  vindication. 
Envy  of  her  high  estate  is  the  parent  of  all  the  attempted 
injustice  to  her;  and  the  contemptible  assaults  made  upon  her, 
or  the  no  less  contemptible  omission,  wilfully,  to  do  her  jus- 
tice, to  say  nothing  of  the  meanness  ci  either  "damning  her 
witn  faint  praise,"  or  remaining  silent  over  her  glorioua  deeds, 
constitute  one  of  her  excellenciea  of  which  she  may  be  justly 
proud.     "  Malicious  Envy,"  so  well  described  by  Spencer,  is 
the  enemy  whose  puny  shafts  are  hurled  at  North -Carolina, 
"Malicious  Envy  rode 
Upon  a  ravenous  wolfe,  and  still  did  chaw 
Between  bis  cankered  teeth  a  venomous  tode, 
That  all  the  poison  rau  about  his  jaw; 
But  inwardly  he  chawed  his  own  ttiaw 
At  neighbor's  wealth  that  made  him  ever  sad, 
For  death  it  was  when  any  good  he  saw, 
And  wept,  that  cause  of  weeping  none  ho  had; 
And  when  be  heard  of  harm  he'  waxed  wondrous  glad." 
*»»■**        **■*•**         * 

"Envy  with  a  pale  and  meagre   face      * 

*    •    stood  shooting  at  stars,  whose  darta  .fell  down 

Again  ou  bia  own  face." 

Lilly's  Endymion. 
u  Base  Envy  withers  at  another's  joy, 
JVnd  hates  that  excellence  it  cannot  reach" 


/9r//       n  ~A 


/ 


IV 

The  Battle  of  Great  Bethel  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
on  record.  I  have  not  attempted  a  full  and  detailed  history 
of  it,  but  have  only  noticed  such  portions  of  it  as  comported 
with  my  plan.  The  fact  that  one  thousand  citizens,  converted 
in  a  few  days  into  soldiers,  should  meet  and  defeat  five  times 
their  number,  killing  and  wounding  five  or  six  hundred  of  the 
enemy,  with  the  loss  of  but  one.  man,  indeed  sounds  more  like 
romance  than  history,  but  truthful  history  will  place  it, 
through  all  future  time,  as  one  among  the  richest  jewels  in 
North- Carolina's  coronet  of  glory. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Kaleigh,  N.  p..  September  25,  1864 


BATTLE  OF  GREAT  BETHEL. 

In  front  of  yon  stands  an  old  Chnrch,  its  roof 
greening  with  the  moss  of  ages.  From  that  humble 
building,  for  many  generations,  ha9  gone  np  the 
sound  of  prayer,  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  Al- 
mighty God*;  and  from  that  rude  old  pulpit,  from 
time  to  time,  for  a  long  series  of  years,  the  Gospel 
has  been  preached  :  Christ  and  Him  crucified,  peace 
on  earth  and  good  will  toward  men. 

Look  now  to  your  left.  Th  tt  forest  of  tombstones, 
those  numerous  mounds — some  red  with  the  freshly 
upturned  earth,  and  others  green  with  the  young 
grass,  tell  you  that  there  i3  situated  a  section  of  the 
Great  City  of  the  Silent  Dead.  The  rich  with  the 
lofty  monumental  column  ;  the  poor  with  the  hum- 
ble marble  or  still  humbler  headrock ;  the  old  and 
the  young ;  the  saint  and  the  sinner,  are  all  on  an 
equality  here,  side  by  side,  their  bodies  resolving 
iuto  their  original  elements.  Once  they  listened  to 
the  word  of  God  in  that  old  Church,  some  unto 
salvation,  and  some  unto  condemnation.  Now  they 
are  dust,  alike. 

How  calm,  how  quiet,  how  peaceful  is  the  scene ! 
The  old  Church — the  grave-yard — the  tall  old  oaks 
waving  their  branches  in  the  gentle  breeze,  and  the 


tiny  Insects  huzzing  with  a  low  murmnr  around— -the 
sun  just  looking  forth  from  his  Eastern  conch,  silver- 
ing the  dewdrops  as  they  hang  suspended  from  the 
leaves  or  fall  in  sparkling  splendor  to  the  earth. 
How  the  soft  wind  of  the  early  morn  soothes  and 
cools  the  heated  brow  !  What  a  tranquilizing  effect 
all  these  things  have  upon  the  soul !  How  the  mind 
retires,  as  it  were,  into  itself,  to  reflect,  to  meditate, 
to  worship  !  How  thickly  throng  the  thoughts  of 
Time  and  of  Eternity,  of  Life  and  Death  ;  and  how 
the  senses  are  all  mellowed  and  softened  as  we  gaze 
upon  the  scenery  around  us !  Involuntarily  the 
mind  mounts  from  Nature  up  to  Nature's  God,  and 
the  spirit  feels  chastened,  though  calm  and  refined. 

Now  look  to  your  right.  O  God,  what  a  contrast ! 
There  is  a  long  trench  dug  in  the  earth,  and  beyond 
it,  in  the  dense  woods,  you  see  muskets  stacked. 
Close  by  these  muskets  you  see  men  in  uniforms — in 
warlike  array — ay,  in  line  of  battle,  ready  at  a  mo- 
ment's notice  to  seize  their  arms  and  hurl  the  leaden 
Heaths  against  any  approaching  foe.  Wide-mouthed 
<L  -non  also,  are  gaping,  as  if  impatient  to  commence 
the  work  of  destruction.  There  are  officers,  with 
sherds  gleaming  in  the  light  of  the  newly  arisen 
sun  of  this  glorious  June  morning,  moving 'from 
point  to  point ;  and  there,  in  the  centre  of  the  line, 
waves  proudly  the  Battle  Flag — the  Stars  and  Bars 
of  a  young  nation  just  feeling  the  first  throes  of 
its  birth. 

Kecall  for  a  moment  the  scene.  Before  you  is 
the  old  Church  ;  to  your  left  is  the  quiet  graveyard  ; 
to  your  right,  O  Heaven  !  is  WAR.    Thus  on  earth 


mingle  peace  and  strife  ;  the  Gospel  and  the  sword  ; 
the  sacred  and  profane;  the  quiet  dead  and  the 
maddened  living;  the  scenes  of  peace  and  the  pre- 
parations for  deadly  conflict. 

But  the  sounds  of  a  horse's  hoofs  are  heard  in  the 
distance,  coming  up  upon  the  right  at  rapid  speed. 
A  moment  more  and  horse  and  rider  appear,  dash 
through  our  lines,  and  halt  at  a  certain  tent.  The 
reins  are  dropped,  the  rider  dismounts  and  enters 
the  tent. 

"  Colonel,"  said  he,  "  the  tale  of  the  deserter  is 
true.  The  enemy  is  advancing  and  will  soon  be 
upon  us." 

Orders  are  issued  for  the  deserter  to  be  brought 
before  the  Colonel,  who  thus  addresses  him  : 

"  Your  offense  is  pardoned.  Go  to  your  company, 
do  your  duty,  and  retrieve  your  character."* 

A  few  moments  more,  and  a  noble  steed,  with 
holsters  at  the  saddle  bow,  is  led  up  to  that  tent.  A 
man  comes  forth,  a  small  man  in  stature,  but  every 
muscle  well  developed.  A  glance  shows  that  he  is 
inured  to  hardships,  that  his  frame  is  strong  and 
wiry  and  capable  of  great  endurance.  His  brow  is 
slightly  contracted,  his  lips  compressed,  and  his 
whole  air  thoughtful ;  but  there  is  a  battle-gleam  in 

*It  will  be  remembered  that  the  first  news  brought  to  our 
troops  of  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  was  brought  by  one  of 
our  soldiers  who,  in  an  evil  hour,  picqued  at  something 
deserted.  He  soon  repented  his  desertion,  and  fortunately 
obtaining  information  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  he  bore 
back  the  information  as  a  peace-offering.  He  had  truly  re- 
pented,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  was  forgiven. 


8 

his  eyes,  and  determination  marks  every  feature. 
He  looks  at  his  Adjutant  and  says  : 

"  Captains  to  the  centre." 

He  pats  that  gallant  horse  gently  on  the  neck, 
strokes  his  forehead  soothingly,  speaks  a  few  kindly 
words  to  him,  and  mounts.  Slowly  and  thoughtfully 
he  rides  to  the  centre  of  the  line.  The  Adjutant 
has  done  his  duty,  and  the  Captains  are  grouped 
together  under  that  Battle  Flag,  anxiously  await- 
ing him. 

Let  us  look  for  a  moment  on  that  group  of  Captains. 
There  stands  a  large-eyed,  bold  and  manly  form, 
mildness  beaming  in  his  countenance,  but  deter- 
mination also  stamped  there.  You  see  it  mingling 
with  his  great  good  nature  in  the  prominent  eyes 
and  in  every  feature.  That  is  William  W.  McDowell, 
Captain  of  the  "  Buncombe  Rifles."  In  peace  he 
has  been  a  lamb  ;  in  war  he  proved  himself  a  lion. 

Beside  him  stands  a  tall,  rough-hewed,  but  manly 
form,  reminding  you  of  one  of  the  granite  rocks  of 
his  native  mountains.  He  is  courteous  and  affable, 
and  a  kindlier  heart  never  throbbed  within  a  manlier 
breast ;  but  look  into  his  eyes  ;  trace  those  long  and 
boldly  developed  lines  that  seam  his  countenance  ; 
and  you  will  read  bravery  even  to  desperate  daring, 
written  there.  That  is  C.  M.  Avery,  Captain  of  the 
"  Burke  Kifles."  Alas  !  he  has  sealed  his  devotion 
to  his  country's  <jause  with  his  life. 

Next  to  him  is  a  form,  not  so  tall,  but  well  devel- 
oped, with  a  tendency  to  corpulency.  His  light 
blue  eyes  bespeak  a  kindly  nature,  yet  gleam  with 
a  light  which  tells  you  he  possesses  courage  and 


decision,  while  that  broad  prominent  under  jaw 
indicates  that  he  is  persistent  in  his  resolves,  and 
not  easily  swerved  from  them.  That  is  William  J. 
Hoke,  Captain  of  the  "Southern  Stars,"  from  Lin- 
coln county. 

By  his  side  is  a  figure  similar  to  his  own,  whose 
broad  and  placid  face,  just  slightly  browned  and 
roughened  by  an  Eastern  sun  and  out-door  exercise, 
shows  that  with  its  predominent  expression  of  good 
nature  and  friendly  feelings,  is  mingled  qualities 
firm  and  unswerving,  untiring  and  persistent.  In 
peace  he  was  characterized  lor  energy — and  so  in 
]n  war.  That  is  John  L.  Bridgers,  Captain  of  the 
'"  Edgecombe  Guards." 

I  regret  that  I  cannot  portray  the  other  Captains, 
hs  I  have  never  seen  them  ;  but  facts  attest  that 
they  were  brave  and  true  men  ;  and  I  mention  their 
names  with  the  names  of  their  respective  companies : 
D.  A.  Bell,  Captain  of  the  "  Eufield  Blues,"  Halifax 
county;  Wright  Iluske,  Captain  of  the  "  Fayette- 
ville  Light  Infantry,"  Cumberland  county ;  J.  B. 
Starr,  Captain  of  the  "  Lafayette  Light  Infantry," 
Cumberland  county ;  B.  J.  Ashe,  Captain  of  the 
"Orange  Light  Tnfantry;  "  E.  A.  Ross,  Captain  of 
the  '*  Charlotte  Grays,"  and  L.  S.  Williams,  Captain 
of  the  "  Hornets'  Nest  Rifles,"  both  from  Mecklen- 
burg county. 

It  is  a  fact  not  only  somewhat  remarkable,  but 
highly  gratifying,  that  all  sections  of  North-Carolina 
were  represented  in  that  one  regiment.  From  the 
rugged  mountains  of  the  West,  from  the  rolling  and 
iertile  lands  of  the  Centre,  and  from  the  sea-washed 


10 

sands  of  the  East,  these  gallant  men  had  simul- 
taneously sprung  to  arms  when  the  first  bugle-note 
of  war  was  sounded.  They  had  come  together 
as  brothers  to  "  do  or  die ; "  and  they  have 
proved  that  the  men  of  the  West,  of  the  Centre, 
and  of  the  East,  are  alike  brave  and  alike  entitled 
to  that  wreath  of  glory  that  now  encircles  their 
brows,  and  that  North-Carolina,  through  all  her 
borders,  has  sons  that  will  not  only  maintain  her 
honor,  but  who  have  alreadj',  on  many  bloody  fields, 
added  intensity  to  the  bright  halo  that  has  ever 
\made  radiant  her  untarnished  fame. 
_Let  witlings  defame  her — let  hirelings  abuse  her— 
let  cowards  traduce  her — let  editors  and  high  officials 
studiously  avoid  awarding  her  the  well  deserved 
meed  of  praise,  and  maliciously  watch  for  every 
opportunity  to  cast  a  slur  upon  her — they  are  but 
the  worthless  rottenstone  that  polishes  the  pure  gold 
of  her  character.  Serene  in  her  conscious  majesty, 
her  stream  of  fame  flows  on,  one-half  of  it  ruffled 
to  form  a  tear  of  pity  for  her  would-be  detainers, 
the  other  half  bright  and  tranquil  as  the  stars  that 
stud  the  heavens. 

Pardon  this  digression. 

The  little  man  on  horseback  rides  up  to  the  assem- 
bled Captains,  and  speaks  : 

*'  Comrades,  a  courier  has  just  arrived  with  the 
certain  intelligence  that  the  enemy  is  advancing 
against  us  in  force.  We  will  fight  him  here.  Repair 
to  your  respective  companies  and  have  them  ready 
for  battle.  I  will  be  with  you  again  in  a  few  moments." 

The  captains  return  to  their  respective  commands. 


11 

A  light  touch  of  the  spur  and  that  noble  horse 
springs  forward,  bearing  his  rider  out  into  the  thick 
woods.  We  will  follow  him.  There  stands  the 
horse,  now  and  then  impatiently  champing  his  bit, 
pawing  the  earth  and  tossing  his  head ;  but  he 
loves  his  master  too  well  to  leave  him. 

And  where  is  that  master  %  Look  at  the  root  of 
that  great  old  oak,  and  you  see  hiin  upon  his  knees. 
He  is  praying  for  strength,  for  guidance,  and  for 
victory.  Above  him  wave  the  branches  of  the  tall 
trees ;  the  beams  of  the  morning  sun  are  peering 
as  it  were  through  loopholes  in  the  dense  green 
foliage,  flickering  over  the  earth  as  the  gentle 
breeze  stirs  the  overhanging  boughs.  What  a  lovely, 
what  a  pleasant,  what  a  peaceable  morning  1  Man 
may  rage,  but  God  ever  smiles,  heedless  of  the 
wrath  of  his  puny  creatures. 

Presently  that  kneeling  form  arises.  Again  he 
pats  the  neck  of  his  steed,  mounts,  and  rides  back 
to  his  lines.  How  those  few  moments  have  changed 
his  aspect!  His  brow  is  now  smooth  and  serene, 
and  his  whole  countenance  is  placid  ;  but  that  stamp 
of  determination,  that  high  resolve,  and  that  firm- 
ness of  purpose,  still  mark  every  feature,  and  that 
battle-gleam  still  lights  his  eye.  He  rides  along  his 
lines  and  addresses  his  brave  North-Carolinians : 

"  Soldiers,  the  enemy  is  approaching  in  heavy 
force.  In  one  or  two  hours — perhaps  less— you  will 
bo  engaged  in  battle.  Remember  you  are  North- 
Carolinians,  and  that  the  heretofore  untarnished 
fame  of  your  mother  State  is  now  in  your  hands. 
This  battle  is  to  be  the  first  of  a  long  series  to  be 


13 

fought  on  the  soil  of  Virginia,  and  yon  should  be 
proud  that  you  now  have  the  opportunity  to  honor 
yourselves  and  to  reflect  additional  glory  on  your 
native  State.  Repose  in  me,  as  "your  commander, 
the  confidence  I  repose  in  you  as  soldiers,  and  vic- 
tory shall  this  day  perch  upon  your  Battle  Flag,  no 
matter  what  the  odds  against  us." 

Thus  he  rides  along,  uttering  these  or  similar 
words  to  each  company,  and  he  is  answered  with 
shouts,  and  assurances  that  they  will  stand  by  him 
to  the  death.  Then  his  eyes  flash,  his  countenance 
grows  animated,  for  he  knows  the  battle-fever  is 
raging  in  his  ranks. 

He  approaches  the  few  Virginians  in  his  command 
and  addresses  them : 

"  Virginians,  you  stand  upon  your  native  soil  and 
the  foot  of  the  foul  invader  pollutes  it.  Show  your- 
selves this  day  worthy  representatives  of  your  great 
State,  and  let  us  all  unite  to  hurl  back  the  foe  that 
now  advances  to  make  us  its  prey.  Remember  the 
many  great  and  good  heroes  of  your  State,  and 
emulate  their  decd3.  '  Give  us  liberty  or  give  us 
death,'  be  your  motto." 

Those  gallant  Virginians  respond  with  cheers. 
The  allusion  to  their  great  heroes  has  re-kindled  the 
lires  of  their  patriotism,  and  they  are  ready  for 
the  fray. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  for  me  to  say  that  man 
was  Col.  Daniel  H.  Hill,  a  native  South-Carolinian, 
a  brave  and  well  educated  soldier,  and  a  Christian 
warrior.  He  doubtless  has  his  faults,  for  no  man  is 
perfect ;  and  whatever  may  be  thought  of  some  of 


13 

his  writings,  none  can  doubt  biB  qualifications  for 
lighting.  I  believe  that  but  for  a  causeless  bowi 
raided  against  him  by  some  individuals  on  our  coast, 
when  lie  had  charge  of  that  department,  the  foot  of 
no  invading  Yankee  would  ever  have  found  a  resting 
place  on  North-Carolina  soil.  It  was  monstroun 
that  Gen.  Hill  should  require,  for  a  short  time,  one- 
fourth  the  nogro  men  of  that  section  to  work  on 
fortifications ;  but  that  monstrosity  pales  before  thai 
of  the  Yankees,  who  have  taken  four-fifths  of  ah 
negro  men,  women  and  children  that  they  could  lav 
handr,  on,  together  with  the  fertile  lands  once  cnbi 
vated  by  those  negroes,  and  have  burned  and  de- 
stroyed millions  of  property,  making  a  once  plentiful 
and  happy  land,  a  desolation.  Men  are  sometimes 
"  penny  wise  and  pound  foolish,"  and  alas!  compe- 
tency is  too  frequently  set  aside  for  incomp3tency, 
through  the  channels  of  favoritism,  partisan  prefer- 
ence, petty  personal  spite  and  envy.  But  we 
pass  on. 

Listen !  A  low,  deep,  heavy,  hollow  sound  it 
heard  in  the  distance.  It  is  the  rumbling  of  wheels  ; 
the  measured  tread  of  long  columns  of  armed  men  ; 
the  beating  of  iron  hoofs  on  the  hard  gound  ;  and 
various  other  Bounds  incident  to  the  marching  of  a 
large  army.  Nearer  and  nearer  approach  the«i 
sounds,  mingled  with  the  rattling  of  mnskets  and 
the  jingling  of  swords;  and  now  comes  into  view 
column  after  column,  their  muskets,  swords  and 
bayonets  gleaming  in  the  sun,  and  the  blue  uniforms 
looking  like  a  cloud  of  destruction  about  to  bursv 
and  overwhelm  our  little  band,  now  grasping  their 


14 

trusty  arms.  Ay,  these  gallent  few  can  discern  the 
once  loved,  but  now  detested  Flag,  prostituted  to 
the  base  purposes  of  a  tyrant  and  Abolition  horde, 
who  then  made,  and  yet  make  it,  the  signal  for  civil 
war  and  cutting  the  throats  of  those  once  protected 
beneath  its  ample  folds.  Beneath  it  now  is  daily 
perpetrated  deeds  at  which  the  very  fiends  stand 
aghast — deeds  that  have  smelled  rank  to  Heaven, 
and  which  will  yet  call  down  a  retribution,  in  God's 
good  time,  upon  the  enactors,  that  will  startle  the 
world  with  the  justness  and  vengeance  of  Almighty 
Power,  since  He  and  his  laws  have  been  set  at 
defiance,  His  name  blasphemed,  and  the  worship 
of  the  negro  substituted  for  that  of  Himself. 

If  the  hearts  of  our  little  band  fluttered  faster  than 
they  did  before,  and  if  their  blood  coursed  more 
rapidly  through  their  veins  than  usnal,  fear  was  not 
the  cause,  but  natural  excitement  that  the  calmest 
and  bravest  cannot  wholly  prevent.  They  may 
have  grasped  their  arms  more  firmly — they  may 
havo  compressed  their  lips  more  tightly,  and  their 
eyes  may  have  gleamed  with  unusual  light;  but 
these  things  only  indicated  spirits  undismayed  and 
souls  resolved.  There  was  no  quailing — they  were 
nerved  for  the  contest,  and  ready  for  it. 

Suddenly  from  the  Richmond  Howitzers  belches 
forth  the  iron  deaths.  The  columns  of  the  advancing 
foe  are  rent  and  torn,  but  the  gaps  are,closed  and 
on  they  come.  All  at  once  the  leaden  messengers 
are  hurled  from  a  thousand  rifles  and  muskets,  and 
they  strew  the  ground  with  dead  and  wounded 
Yankees.    Five  times  as  many  are  hurled  at  our 


15 

little  Spartan  band,  but  not  a  man  is  touched.  One 
continued  sheet  of  flame  bursts  along  our  front,  and 
the  work  grows  too  hot  for  Yankee  pluck,  and  they 
begin  to  show  their  backs.  A  shout  goes  up  from 
our  soldiers,  and  Yankee  legs  cannot  outstrip  our 
bullets.  They  fall  at  every  step  until  beyond  our 
reach,  the  Howitzers  aiding  the  muskets,  in*  the 
work  of  death. 

After  a  short  breathing  spell  they  again  approach. 
Our  dauntless  heroes  retire  to  their  trenches.  On 
come  the  gaudily  dressed  New- York  Zouaves,  with 
yells  like  savages,  and  savages  they  were  in  all 
except  disregard  for  personal  safety.  Like  all  bad 
3  men  they  were  apparently  reckless,  but  in  fact 
were  cowards.  Little  did  they  think  that,  like  the 
sacrifices  of  ancient  times,  they  were  bedecked  and 
ornamented  for  the  slaughter.  A  few  vollies  throw 
them  into  disorder.  They  glory  in  the  work  of 
killing,  but  being  killed  is  a  very  different  thing. 
They  could  gloat  with  fiendish  satisfaction  over  the 
blood  of  others ;  but  their  coward  hearts  cannot 
bear  the  idea  of  having  their  own  veins  drained. 
Many  have  been  the  helpless  and  unarmed  victims 
that  have  fallen  beneath  their  assassin  strokes. 
But  here  there  are  two  6ides  to  the  question.  While 
they  would  deal  death  to  others,  their  craven  spirits 
cannot  bear  the  thought  of  having  the  compliment 
returned.  The  whistling  of  bullets  has  no  music 
for  their  ears,  though  they  could  listen  enraptured 
to  the  dying  moans  of  the  unoffending,  slain  for 
purposes  of  robbery  or  revenge. 

In  vain  their  Colonel,   Waldrop,  tries   to  rail/ 


16 

them,  Elevating  himself,  with  naked  sword  in 
hand,  he  curses  them  for  cowards  and  tries  to  shame 
and  exasperate  them  into  bravery.  Fool  that  he 
was,  not  to  know  that  true  valor  dwells  not  in  the 
bosoms  of  thieves  and  murderers.  Fool  that  he  was, 
not  to  know  that  such  bosoms  are  insensible  to 
shame.  While  waving  his  sword  and  heaping  curses 
upon  his  flying  sooundrels,  a  ball  from  a  North- 
Carolina  musket  stretches  him  lifeless  upon  the 
ground.  Those  of  his  command  able  to  run,  ply 
their  legs  with  might  and  main,  scattered  in  all 
directions,  and  infusing  their  terror  into  others. 
They  had  physical  force,  but  no  true  valor  :  the  de- 
praved are  never  brave.  They  are  but  beasts,  and 
like  all  beasts  they  shrink  instinctively  from  danger, 
with  a  wild  howor  in  which  allreason,  all  manliness, 
all  self-possession  is  lost. 

Meantime  one  of  the  Howitzers  has  been  rendered 
useless,  on  another  part  of  the  line,  by  the  breaking 
of  a  wire  in  the  vent.  Some  hundreds  of  Yankees 
bravely  rush  upon  the  harmless  piece  and  capture 
it.  What  a  glorious  deed  !  How  renowned  must 
they  be  in  history  !  Have  they  not  fearlessly  rushed 
upon  a  piece  of  metal,  that  will  not  shoot,  and 
dauntlessly  laid  their  hands  upon  it?  Have  they 
not  won  an  elephant,  and  a  dead  one  at  that  ?  Who 
<an  blame  them  for  yelling  and  shouting  over  the 
i  hough t  of  the  undying  fame  that  must  now  forever 
couple  their  names  with  those  of  the  renowned 
heroes  of  history? 

Short  lived  gratulation  !  As  bounds  the'lion  upon 
the  more  ignoble  boasts  that  are  feasting  upon  the 
- 


17 

unresisting  carcass  provided  for  them  by.  tlie  valor 
of  another,  so  springs  Capt.  Bridgers  with  his 
seventy-five  Edgecombe  Guards,  upon  the  jubilant 
Yankees.  As  nee  the  meaner  animals  with  reckless 
fright,  so  flee  these  valiant  captors  of  the  inoffensive 
gun.  A  charge  at  them  is  all — upon  them  requires 
a  tieetness  of  courage  superior  to  that  of  fear — some- 
thing rarely  found!  The  gleam  of  bayonets  was 
disgusting  to  their  sight,  and  they  turned  their  backs 
to  avoid  seeing  it,  leaving  behind  them  the  prizQ 
for  which  they  had  expended  so  much  breath  in 
noisy  shouts.  But  few  of  our  men  had  been  struck, 
and  not  a  single  one  disabled. 

Very  soon  it  was  perceived  that  the  Yankees 
were  effecting  a  lodgement  in  an  old  house,  from 
which  they  could  very  much  annoy  us.  Capt. 
Bridgers  called  for  volunteers  to  set  fire  to  the  house. 
Five  men  sprang  forward,  young  Henry  L.  Wyatt 
the  foremost  among  them,  each  with  a  brand  in  his 
hand.  They  make  a  dash  for  the  house,  and  young 
"VVyatt  falls,  struck  in  the  forehead  bv  a  ball. 
Scarcely  is  he  upon  the  ground  before  his  slayer  is 
shot  down,  and  the  Yankees  speedily  evacuate  the 
house.  Again  repulsed,  there  is'  a  halt  in  the 
battle-storm. 

Colonel  Hill  rides  along  his  lines,  his  face  beam- 
ing with  pride  and  joy,  and  is  greeted  with  cheers. 
Every  soldier  feels  himself  a  hero.  That  natural 
dread  which  all  must  feel  when  going  into  battle, 
has  worn  off,  and  now  they  feel  invincible.  The 
laugh  and  juke  go  round,  and  all  are  merry.  Many 
of  the  dead  have  been  borne  off,  but  they  can  see 


18 

many  still  lying  where  they  fell,  and  they  know 
their  arms  have  been  felt. 

In  about  half  an  hour  the  enemy  again  advances, 
from  a  different  direction,  having  made  a  consider- 
able circuit,  with  the  intention  of  Hanking  our  men 
and  getting  in  their  rear.  But  their  columns  plunge 
into  a  deep  morass,  and  they  can  neither  advance 
nor  retreat.  Now  does  the  carnival  of  death  hold 
high  revel  in  their  ranks.  In  range  of  onr  marks- 
men, they  fall  by  scores,  some  sinking  into  the  slimy 
mud  and  water,  the  only  graves  they  will  ever 
know.  All  that  can,  struggle  back,  and  make  haste 
to  put  themselves  out  of  reach  of  our  guns.  Like 
frightened  sheep  they  scamper  off,  and  infect  their 
comrades  with  their  own  terror.  A  hasty,  disor- 
derly, and  disgraceful  retreat  commences,  our  cannon 
accellerating  their  steps.  Our  men  leap  from  their 
fortifications,  and  pursue  the  ftying  foe  for  several 
miles.  The  retreat  becomes  a  route,  and  our  vic- 
tory is  complete. 

Thus  was  hurled  back  in  blood  and  shame  the 
glittering  hosts  of  Yankee  chivalry  !  that  went  forth 
bo  proudly  to  capture  that  handful  of  "  ragged 
rebels."  How  must  old  Beast  Butler  have  felt  when 
he  saw  his  troops  returning  crest-fallen,  whipped ! 
Doubtless  if  there  had  been  a  defenceless  woman 
near  him  he  would  have  insulted  her,  and  felt  as 
proud  of  it  as  his  Puritan  forefathers  did  of  burning 
old  women  for  witches,  and  punishing  harmless 
Baptists  and  Quakers  for  worshipping  God  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences. 

Our  entire  loss  was  one  killed  and  seven  slightly 


19 

wounded  ;  that  of  the  enemy  was  about  three  hun- 
dred killed  and  as  many  more  wounded.  It  is  true 
that  we  had  the  ad  van  t:  go  of  position,  but  that 
would  have  availed  us  but  little  but  for  our  own 
superior  valor  and  workmanship.  Their  balb,  at 
times,  iiew  thick  and  fast,  but  mostly  far  above  the 
heads  of  our  own  troops,  as  if  expecting  to  find 
them  up  trees. 

Let  it  bo  remembered  that  the  first  blood  shed  in 
this  vjar,  in  regular  battle,  lOas  shed  at  the  battle  of 
Great  Bethel;  and  let  it  also  be  remembered  that 
the  first  blood  of  a  Southern  soldier  that  stained 
Confederate  soil,  was  the  blood  of  a  North- Caro- 
linian— young  Wyatt,  who  knew  not  the  meaning 
of  fear,  and  was  insensible  to  danger  when  ana 
where  duty  called.  He  was  but  a  private  soldier, 
but  no  braver  spirit  has  more  nobly  perishedon  the 
battle-field,  whether  clad  in  uniform  or  in  humble 
garments.  And  from  the  day  of  his  death  the  troops 
of  North-Ccirolina  seem  to  have  emulated  his  exam- 
ple. They  have  been  among  the  bravest  and  most 
reliable  troops  in  our  armies,  and  have  been  excelled 
by  none.  They  have  ever  sprang  with  alacrity 
where  duty  called  them,  and  by  their  steady  firm- 
ness, their  determined  purpose,  their  resolve  to 
conquer  or  die,  they  have  accomplished  deeds  that 
will  place  them  among  the  highest  on  the  scroll  of 
fame,  when  the  truth  of  history  shall  be  unrolled. 
For  all  this  they  have  not  sought  praise — they  only 
want  justice,  for  justice  itself  is  their  highest  praise. 
And  little,  indeed,  the  praise  they  have  received, 
and  tbat  little  apparently   wrung  from  reluctant 


20 

tongues,  envious  pens,  ana  begrudging  hearts.  On 
hundreds  of  bloody  fields  thousands  of  her  best  and 
bravest  sons  have  fallen  with  their  faces  to  the  foe  ; 
and  their  heroism  and  self-devotion  are  unchrou- 
icled — their  glorious  deeds  are  as  silent  as  their 
bloody  graves. 

Do  North-Carolina  troops  achieve  a  victory,  tho 
newspapers  nearest  the  scene  of  operations,  either 
pass  it  over  in  silence  or  represent  it  as  a  small 
affair ;  or  if  they  speak  of  the  bravery  of  the  troops, 
tney  strangely  forgeflo  tell  what  State  the  troops 
are  from.  It  they  meet  with  a  reverse,  which,  thank 
God !  is  seldom,  these  same  newspapers  bruit  it 
abroad,  magnify  it,  and  ring  charges  upon  it  with 
apparent  delight. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  retaliate  by  concealing 
the  heroism  of  other  troops,  or  by  attempting  to 
pluck  one  leaf  from  the  wreath  of  honor  that  encircles 
their  brows ;  but  to  contrast  the  conduct  of  those 
papers,  and  to  show  their  (im)-partiality  in  chroni- 
cling faithfully  the  events  of  the  day,  I  will  say 
they  have  never  yet  published  the  facts  that  North- 
Carolina  troops  have,  on  two  occasions  at  least, 
charged  over  the  prostrate  froms  of  troops  of  another 
State,  and  accomplished  the ,  work  to  which  these 
prostrate  soldiers  could  be  neither  led  nor  driven. 

Let  us  look  at  a  few  recent  events.  Gen.  Ramseur 
not  long  since  met  with  a  slight  reverse  near  Win- 
chester, Ya.  What  degree  of  censure,  if  any,  he 
merits  I  know  not.  But  let  him  be  fairly  judged 
and  acquitted  or  punished  as  he  deserves ;  for  I 
would  screen  no -officer  or  soldier  from  merited  ceii- 


21 

sure,  whether  from  North-Carolina  or  elsewhere. 
Bat  certain  newspapers  in  and  around  the  seat  of 
Government,  seized  upon  the  affair,  held  it  up  as 
44  Ramseur's  defeat,"  and  seemed  delighted  to  allude 
to  it  as  "  the  first  reverse  to  our  arms  since  the 
Maryland  campaign  commenced."  Of  course  this 
"  reverse"  was  attributable  to  North-Carolinians, 
under  a  North-Carolina  commander.  Had  they 
been  troops  from  some  other  S^ate,  would  the 
"reverse  have  been  heralded  with  sucii  a  flourish 
of  trumpets  ?  Perhaps  the  following  will  answer 
the  question : 

Quite  recently — siuce  "  Ramseur's  defeat"— Pc- 
gram's  Battery  was  captured  and  the  troops  sup- 
porting it  repulsed.  1  fenow  not  that  those  engaged 
were  to  blame.  I  have  no  reason  to  think  they  did 
not  fight  bravely  and  do  all  that  brave  men  could 
under  the  circumstances  $  but  these  same  news- 
papers touched  the  affair  gingerly — cut  it  off  with 
a  paragraph — and  never  mentioned  the  States  from 
which  the  troops  came — a  sure  indication  that  they 
were  not  from  North-Carolina  ;  and  they  were  not. 
A  few  days  afterwards  about  5,000  North-Carolinians, 
with  a  few  other  troops,  encountered  about  17,000 
of  the  enemy  at  Gravely  Hill,  not  far  from  Rich- 
mond, drove  them  back  several  miles,  and  killed, 
wounded  and  captured  many ;  and  yet,  if  the  editors 
of  these  papers  have  ever  heard  of  the  fight  at 
Gravely  Hill,  I  am  not  aware  that  they  have  ever 
communicated  the  information  to  their  readers. 

In  fact  one  or  more  of  the  Richmond  papers,  some 
days  after  the  affair  at  Bethel,  seemed   to  have 


22 

doubts  about  any  such  battle  having  been  fought  at 
all.  Was  it  because  North-Carolina  troops,  princi- 
pally, were  engaged  ? 

More  recently  still.  On  Sunday,  21st  of  August 
last,  our  forces  were  repulsed  in  their  assault  on  the 
enemy's  lines  near  Petersburg,  on  thoWeldon  Rail- 
road. Virginia  papers  told  us  that  the  repulse  was 
attributable  to  the  conduct — one  of  them  says  "the 
shameful  conduct  "  of  a  certain  brigade  which  gave 
way  at  a  critical  moment,  and  could  not  be  rallied  ; 
but  they  told  us  not  what  brigade  it  was,  nor  have 
they  yet  done  so.  "We  all  know  it  was  not  a  North- 
Carolina  brigade. 

On  the  followingThursday  the  enemy  was  attacked 
near  Reams'  Station,  on  the  same  road,  driven  back 
into  their  fortifications — their  fortifications  stormed 
and  carried — and  the  Yankee  hosts  scattered  like 
chaff  before  our  invincible  soldiers.  Thanks  to  that 
good  and  great-hearted  man,  Gen.  Lee,  he  tells  us 
in  his  official  dispatch  that  Cook's,  McRae's  and 
Lane's  North- Carolina  brigades,  with  Pegram's 
artillery,  composed  the  assaulting  columns. 

Had  not  Gen.  Lee  stated  these  facts,  it  is  quite 
likely  none  of  the  Virginia  papers  would  have 
troubled  their  readers  with  the  information. 

North  Carolina,  too,  has  fewer  high  officers  than 
any  other  State  that  has  furnished  so  many  troops. 
But  few  of  her  sons  have  been  promoted,  and  too 
many  of  these  few,  here,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  have 
apparently  been  selected,  not  so  much  with  reference 
to  qualifications  as  to  partizan  predilections.  Our 
troops,  for  the  most  part,  must  fight  under  officers 


23 

. 
from  other  States;  and  though  this  does  not  effect 
their  willingness  to  fight,  they  cannot  help  consid- 
ering it  an  indignity  to  their  State. 

Look,  too,  to  the  present  position  of  one  of  her 
most  cherished  sons,  Gen.  D.  H.  Ilill,  the  hero  of 
Bethel.  For  nearly  a  year  he  has  been  without  a 
command,  but  he  has  not  been  idle.  He  has  suffered 
no  fine  drawn  military  etiquette,  to  which  victory 
and  thousands  of  lives  are  too  frequently  sacrificed 
and  the  cause  itself  put  in  jeopardy,  to  interfere  with 
his  love  for  and  duty  to  his  country.  He  has,  in 
many  recent  battles,  taken  part,  sometimes  assigned 
to  a  command  for  the  special  occasion.  His  case  is 
awakening  indignation  against  his  pursuers,  and 
creating  a  corresponding  sympathy  for  him,  in  the 
hearts  of  his  countrymen  throughout  the  Confed- 
eracy. He  is  now  more  honored,  more  respected 
and  looked  to  with  more  trustfulness,  than  those, 
who  would  hold  him  down.  He  has  proven  that 
he  has  the  cause  of  his  country  at  heart,  and  that 
self  is  not  considered.  He  knows  his  countrymen 
will  do  him  justice,  and  lets  not  the  injustice  done 
him  by  malice  or  envy  or  other  cause,  interfere 
with  his  love  of  duty.  He  had  too  much  of  the 
"go  ahead,"  and  too  little  of  the  "falling  back" 
qualifications,  to  render  him  a  fitting  person  for 
special  favors  and  place  him  in  the  safe  line  of  pro- 
motion. Posterity  will  do  him  justice,  and,  like  his 
adopted  State,  he  is  content  with  this. 

itforth-Carolina,  too,  has  more  volunteers,  in  pro- 
portion to  her  population,  than  any  other  State; 
and  the  Conscript  law  has  been  more  rigidly  en- 


24 

forced,  in  her  borders  than  in  those  of  any  other 
State ;  yet,  because  there  are  some  deserters  and 
skulkers  in  her  western  counties,  more  than  half  of 
whom  are  from  other  States,  she  must  be  stigma- 
tized as  "the  tory  State,"  and  the  Habeas  Caipm 
act  must  be  suspended  for  her  special  benefit.  One 
half  of  Virginia  may  set  up  for  itself  and  join 
Lincoln,  and  hundreds  of  her  Eastern  citizens  may 
have  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  Abraham  the 
last ;  yet  we  hoar  nothing  of  tories  there.  Cotton 
and  sugar  planters  "down  South"  may  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance  and  cultivate  their  own  lands 
with  what  were  formerly  their  o^n  negroes,  by 
giving  the  Yankees  one-half  of  the  products ;  yet 
we  are  not  told  of  any  tories  there.  North-Carolina 
must  be  made  the  scape-goat  to  bear  olt  the  sins  of 
the  other  States,  to  gratify  official  spleen,  partisan 
malice  and  envious  hearts.  She  can  well  afford  to 
act  in  this  capacity ;  she  can  well  endure  the  con- 
temptible scoffs  and  sneers  of  her  traducers,  for  she 
knows  the  sun  of  her  fame  shines  but  the  more 
brightly,  in  contrast  with  their  dark  conduct  to- 
wards her,  and  that  she  is  so  far  beyond  their  puny 
shafts  that,  but  for  pity,  she  could  smile  compla- 
cently upon  them.  The  truth  of  history,  she  knows, 
will  do  her  justice,  and  conscious  of  this,  she  moves 
along  serene  and  undisturbed,  though  she  lets  fall  a 
tear  of  pity  for  the  depravity  of  those  assailing  her. 
She  asks  no  artificial  bolstering,  no  high-wrought 
eulogies  of  venal  pens  and  hireling  scribblers.  She 
would  blush  at  any  notoriety  given  her  by  such 
means,  and  in  her  honest  pride  would  denounce 


25 

6ucb  false  glitter,  knowing  it  was  not  glory.  She 
cares  not  that  abuse  of  her  is  made  a  stepping  stone 
to  court-favor  and  promotion.  She  knows  that  all 
such  will  soon  find  their  level,  unfathomably  be- 
neath her.  She  doss  her  duty,  fully,  bravely,  nobly, 
and  is  satisfied  to  bide  her  time  until  the  demorali- 
zation and  enviousness  of  the  present  day  6hall  have 
given  place  to  a  fairer,  less  prejudiced  and  less 
corrupt  era. 

One  other  instance.  At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg 
a  certain  brigade  was  hoisted  to  the  top  round  of 
the  ladder  of  praise  for  having  stormed  and  carried 
a  portion  of  the  enemy's  works.  It  is  needless  to 
say  what  State  these  troops  were  from ;  they  were 
not  from  North-Carolina,  or  we  should  never  have 
heard  of  the  grand  achievement.  The  Virginia 
papers  prfled  Pelion  upon  Ossa,  and  day  by  day 
bore  up  material  to  add  to  the  length,  breadth  and 
height  of  the  stupendous  pile. 

And  what  are  the  facts  ?  The  works  were  stormed 
and  carried  in  spite  of  a  few  straggling  Yankees 
left  behind,  the  "  grand  army  "  having  evacuated 
the  place  and  commenced  its  retreat.  There  had 
been,  but  a  Jittle  time  before,  a  heavy  force  there, 
and  had  it  remained  until  our  assaulting  columns 
arrived  it  is  highly  probable  that  few  or  none  of  the 
assailants  would  have  escaped.  In  that  case,  had 
they  been  North-Carolina  troops,  it  would  have 
been  a  blunder.  But  honor  to  the  brave  officers 
and  men  engaged,  for  they  expected  formidable  op- 
position; and  I  mention  the  affair  merely  to  show 
with  what  facility  Virginia  editors  can  magnify  mole 


26 

liills  into  mountains  when  certain  troops  are  spoken 
of,  and  reduce  mountains  to  mole  hills  when  other 
troops  form  their  theme.  Had  North-Carolina 
troops  stormed  these  works,  the  whole  affair  would 
most  likely  have  been  considered  a  ludicrous  joke ; 
or  an  attempt  might  have  been  made  to  create  the 
impression  that  they  knew  the  works  were  aban- 
doned, and  sought  glory  which  they  knew  would 
be  bloodless. 

To  add  insult  to  injury,  it  is  also  sometimes  inti- 
mated that  the  North-Carolina  troops  are  put  in  the 
front  of  the  fight,  in  order  that  other  troops  behind 
them  may  prevent  their  running  away ;  but  none  of 
them  have  ever  yet  been  made  to  fall  while  other 
troops  charged  over  them.  Ask  Gen.  Lee  and  other 
honest  officers  why  they  are  so  frequently  put  in 
the  front,  and  they  will  tell  you,  because  fehey  are 
reliable.  At  Yorktown  North-Carolina  troops  were 
placed  in  front,  and  in  the  retreat  from  that  place 
they  brought  up  the  rear.  Thus  was  the  post  of 
honor  and  of  danger  assigned  them  in  both  cases. 

Quite  recently — O,  tell  it  not  in  Gath,  nor  pub- 
lish it  in  the  streets  of  Richmond ! — these  same  Vir- 
ginia papers,  for  purposes  best  known,  perhaps,  to 
themselves,  have  spoken  well  of  the  u  honor "  and 
"  conservatism  "  of  North-Carolina.  "  Time,o  Dor 
naos  et  dona  ferentes."  Still  they  say  nothing  of 
the  bravery  of  our  soldiers. 

If  a  man  has  reviled,  abused,  and  spoken  con- 
temptuously of  you  through  a  series  of  years,  or 
slighted  and  ignored  you,  and  all  at  once  begins  to 
praise  you,  can  you  regard  it  as  complimentary! 


27 

Can  you  believe  him  sincere?  Would  yon  not  nat- 
ural ly  suppose  he  had  some  sinister  motive  for  bis 
sudden  change  ?  If  you  are  wise  you  will  watch 
him  with  increased  vigilance. 

It  must  be  mortifying,  too,  to  every  true  son  of 
North-Carolina  to  see  our  own  State  papers  copying 
these  articles,  and  expressing  thanks  and  grateful 
feelings  for  them;  just  as  a  child  who  has  been 
scolded,  is  pleased  by  a  kind  word  from  the  one  who 
had  scolded  it.  It  is  too  much  like  the  whipped 
spaniel  that  will  turn  and  lick  the  hand  that  smote 
him,  for  a  kind  pat  on  the  head.  No;  let  them 
abuse  her — it  is  her  praise  :  their  praise  is  her  bane. 
Sordid  motives  sometimes  prompt  the  language  of 
compliment.  Political  considerations  often  do  the 
same.  Spite  at  one  party  not  unfrcquently  suggests 
praise  of  another,  when  neither  is  regarded  with 
any  kind  feelings,  the  show  of  kindness  being  put 
on  for  party  purposes — to  dupe  one  into  antagonism 
with  another.  North-Carolina  has  too  much  sense 
to  be  thus  duped,  and  too  much  penetration  not  to 
see  the  serpent  coiled  beneath  the  rose.  She  is 
above  calling  upon  her  defamcrs  to  prove  her  good 
character.  She  can  afford  to  despise  both  them  and 
their  testimony,  well  knowing  they  will  have  no 
weight  with  an  impartial  historian*  Conscious  rec- 
titude can  wait  its  vindication;:  conscious  guilt  seeks 
for  props  and  stays,  and  would  deceive  the  world 
by  creating  an  impression  of  its  innocence,  even  by 
pulling  down  the  innocent  aud  building  itself  upon? 
the  ruins.  The  guilty  are  generally  the  first  accu- 
sers, in  order  to  divert  suspic'oii  from  themselves. 


28 

To  prevent  their  own  conduct  being  discnssed,  they 
had  rather  discuss  and  draw  public  attention  to  that 
of  others. 

North-Carolina  rests  her  fame  upon  her  deeds — 
not  upon  her  words.  It  is  not  necessary  for  her  to 
defame  others.  She  is  willing  to  award  praise  to 
all  who  deserve  it.  She  seeks  the  injury  of  none, 
and  she  has  no  fears  that  others  can  injure  her.—* 
Calm  and  unmoved  she  pursues  the  even  tenor  of 
her  way,  appreciating  her  friends  and  passing  by 
her  foes  with  silent  contempt,  mingled  with  pity  for 
the  envy  of  some  and  the  malice  of  others.  The 
groundless  prejudices  of  those  high  in  authority, 
weigh  no  more  with  her  than  the  paltry  attacks  or 
slights  of  petty  newspaper  scribblers,  puffed  up 
sub-officials,  and  dastardly  tools  of  would-be  tyrants. 


BY  FRANK.  I.  WILSON. 

This  work,  of  about  100  pages,  is  now 
in  the  hands  of  the  printer,  and  will  be 
ready  soon.  It  embraces  what  the  writer 
either  saw  or  heard  from  reliable  sources, 
and  will  be  printed  on  fine  white  paper. 

SOME  OF  THE  CONTENTS  ARE : 

Nassau  as  it  was,  and  as  it  is;   Population; 

White  Folks  ;  Colored  Population  ;  Soil ; 

Products j  Stock  ;  Dogs ;  Chicken  Cocks; 

Ikying  at  Quarantine;  Government; 

Shipping  ;    Squalls  ;    Jllusquitoes  ; 

Sharks,  and  other  ocean 

products; 

The    Parson  on  £ea-Sickuess,  Ac,  &c. 

Sent  free  of  postage  for  $3  per  cop/ ; 
five  or  more  copies  to  one  address  $2.50 
per  copy. 

Send  orders  to 

FRANK.  I.  WILSON. 

Hgp"  Papers  in  the  State  publishing  the  above 
will  have  a  copy  of  the  work  sent  them  free  of 
postage. 


NEW  AUCTION  &  COMMISSION  STORE. 


W.  II.  &  R.  S.  TUCKER  &  W.  R.  ANDREWS 

Have  associated  themselves  together  under  the  name 
and  style  of 

tucker,  iLmmsws  &  CO., 

for  the  purpose  of  conducting  a  general  Auction* 
and  Commission  business. 

All  business  entrusted  to  them  will   meet  with 
promptness  and  dispatch. 

TUCKER,  ANDREWS  &  CO. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  Oct.  4,  1S64. 

CREECH  &  LITCHFORD, 

AUCTION  &  COMMISSION  MERGBMI 

FAYETTEVILLE  STJKEET,  RALEIGH*  N.  €.. 

Agent*    for   the   §ale   of   Personal  and    Seal 
Estate,  Produce  of  all  Rinds,  &c,  to. 

All  business  entrusted  to  them  mil;  be  promptly 
and  faithfully  attended  ft®. 
October  4,  1864. 


W.  R.  RICHARDSONt&  CO., 

EXCHANGE  AND  STOCK  BROKERS, 

FAYETTE  VILLE  ST.,  RALEIGH,  N.  C. 

WANTED    TO   BUY 

GOLD    AND   SILVER,  BANK  NOTES, 

AND  NORTH-CAROLINA  TREASURY  NOTES- 

October  4,  1864. 

J.   M.   TOWLES, 

AUCTION  &  COMMISSION  MERCHANT. 

FAYETTEVILLE   STREET,    RALEIGH.    K.    C. 

Will  attend  punctually  to  all  business  entrusted  to 
him.     "With  an  experience  of  many  years,  he  feels 
assured  he  can  give  general  satisfaction.    Patronage 
respectfully  solicited. 
October  4, 1854. 


J.  G.  WILLIiLMS  &  00., 

§foci{  ^9  £xcf)^ge  Stoles, 

FAYETTEVILLE  STREET,  RALEIGH,  N.  C. 
WA  N  TE  D, 

3,000  North- Carolina  Coupons  (old), 

2,000  North-Carolina  Railroad  Coupons, 

5,000  North-Carolina  Bank  Notes. 
October  4,  1864. , 

CHARLES  M.  FARRiSS, 

MIlfflAIT  TAIWln 

FAYETTEVILLE  STREET,  RALEIGH,  N.  C. 

Keeps  constantly  on  hand  a  large  and  varied 
selection  of  English  and  Confederate  Goods,  and 
having  in  his  employ  two  of 

Xfye  $esf  Gtiffete  Iff  ffje  .§oi{ff?; 

is  prepared    to    furnish    Officers'    and    Citizens' 
Clothing-  at  the  shortest  possible  notice. 

His  prices  will  be  as  moderate  as  the  times  will 
admit  of. 

CHARLES  JL  FARRISS. 

October  4,  1864. 


I 


v*1  ''•', 


